18

SYMMETRY

18.1 INTRODUCTION

of various
elass VI, we have studied about symmetry and lines of symmetry
n is such a nice thing
athematical and non-mathematical figures and objects. Symmetry or
designers of jewellery
dhat it is used almost i n every field of activity. Architects, in their profession. Even
lothing, artists and many others use the idea of symmetry to us. Some of them
nature has also gifted many living and non-living symmetrical objects
are shown below.

Fig. 4
Fig.1 Fig. 2 Fig.3
made architectural marvels which are beautiful
Following arethe pictures of some m a n

because of their symmetry.

Fig. 5 Tajmahal Fig.6

n each of the following figures dotted lines are lines of symmetry.

********
TW () (i)
Fig.7
(ii) (iv)
 18.2
thematics for Clas
18.2 LINES OF SYMMETRY Vi
We observe that each one of the
figures 1 to 7 is divided into two identical n a r
dotted lines. When we fold these arts Dy
figures along the dotted line, one half of the the
would fit exactly cover the other half. The dotted lines are known as the
of the respective figures. Thus, we
lines of sVre
may define a line of symmetry of a figure as follory
LINE OF SYMMETRY 1f a line dividesa ws.
figure into two parts such that when the fia..
folded about the line the two parts of the figure coincide, then the line is known as the e i
symmetry. line of
The line of symmetry is also known as the axis of symmetry.
In each one of the figure 1 to 7 dotted lines lines of symmetry of the respective
are
A
figure
Ares
figure may or may not have a line of symmetry. There may be figures
one line of symmetry. having more thanan
The following figures have than
more one line of symmetry. Such figures are said to have
multiple lines of symmetry.

***

C ************************ ******.**
C
A ********

(ii)

Fig. 8
Let us nowdiscuss about the lines of
symmetry of some geometrical figures.
LINES OF SYMMETRY OF A LINE A line has
infinite length and hence it can be
that each line
perpendicular to the given line divide the considered
So, a line has infinite number of line into two equal halves (parts.
line is symmetrical to itself. symmetrical lines which are perpendicular to it. Also, a

Fig. 9
LINES OF SYMMETRY OF A LINE SEGMENT A line
segment has
namely, the segment itself and the perpendicular bisector of the two lines of symmey
segment.
 18.3
mmeiiy

Fig. 10
arms has one line of symmetry
LINES OF
SYMMETRY OF AN ANGLE An angle with equal
hich is along the internal bisector of the angle.

************
***

B D

Fig. 12
Fig. 11

TRIANGLE An isosceles triangle has o n e line of

LINES OF SYMMETRY OF AN ISOSCELES
the vertex. Median AD is a line of symmetry
symmetry which is along the median through

* * * * * * * * °* * * *
triangle ABC as the AB AC in Fig.12.
=

ofisosceles
has line of symmetry. In
LINES OF sYMMETRY OF A PARALLELOGRAM A parallelogram
no

ABCD has no line of symmetry.

ig. 13, parallelogram
D
*.

A B
Fig. 14
Fig. 13
rhombus has two lines of symmetry along the
NES OF sYMMETRY OF A RHOMBUs A
agonals of the rhombus.
two lines of symmetry. As shown in Fig 14.
rhombus ABCD, diagonals AC and BD are

A rectangle has two lines of symmetry along the line

NES OF SYMMETRY OF A RECTANGLE
joinin the mid-points of the opposite sides.
segments JOining
ES

nte fig. 15, PQ and RS are two lines of symmetry of rectangle ABCD.
18.4 Mathematics for Class Vi
D C D C

******************************** .
R S

A P B B

Fig. 15 Fig. 16

LINES OF SYMMETRY OF AN ISOSCELES TRAPEZIUM An isosceles trapezium has two paralle

sides and two non-parallel sides of equal length. In Fig. 16, ABCD is an isosceles
trapezium such that BC = AD and AB is parallel to CD. It has only one line of symmetry
along the line segment joining the mid-points of two parallel sides AB and CD
LINES OF SYMMETRY OF A KITE A kite, as shown in Fig. 17 has one line of symmetry along
the diagonal BD.
D

B
A

B
Fig. 17 Fig. 18
LINES OF SYMMETRY OF AN ARROW HEAD An arrow head, as shown in Fig. 18, has the
diagonal BD as the only line of symmetry.
LINES OF SYMMETRY OF A SEMI-CIRCLE A semi-circle, as shown in Fig. 19, has only one line
of symmetry which is perpendicular to the perpendicular bisector of the diameter AB.

*********]
.....
*********** .

****

A B
****
...
Fig. 19
Fig. 20
LINES OF SYMMETRY OF A CIRCLE A circle has an infinite number of lines of symmetry a
along the diameters.

i8.3 LINES OF SYMMETRY OF SOME REGULAR PoLYGONS

Regular polygons are symmetrical beauties and hence their lines of symmetry are qu
interesting. In this section, we will discuss about the lines of symmetry of some regula
 18.5
Jnmeiy

polVgons. W e
We know that a closed figure made up of several line segments is called a
are known as
Polygons made up of three, four, five and six line segments
ogon. Po
o De
juadrilaterals, pentagons and hexagons respectively. A polygon 1s sa1d
r i a n g i e s , q u a d r i l a

ng all its sides are of equal length and all its angles are of equal measure.
are
SYMMETRY OF AN EQUILATERAL
OF TRIANGLE All sides of an equilateral triangle
is of measure 60°. An equilateral triangle has three lines of
LNESO

Nnlength and each angle

e t r y along the three medians of the triangle as shown in Fig. 21.

.* * * * * * * * * *
...^.. ..
A

**.
**...
.
.
..
...
**

....
AL.

Fig. 21 Fig. 22

whose all sides a r e of equal

LINES OF SYMMETRY OF A SQUARE A square is a quadrilateral
of a square are
length and each of its angles is a right-angle i.e. 90°. Diagonals
perpendicular bisector of each other.
along the line
A square has four lines of symmetry two along the diagonals and two
22.
segments joining the mid-points of opposite sides as shown Fig.

D M

S/ .... .... ****

E ****
... F
**.*. .
***
) C

************.l. -... -
.
N

A B
A

Fig. 24
Fig. 23
LNES OF SYMMETRY OF A REGULAR PENTAGON Aregular pentagon has all its sides equal in
gth and the neasure of each of its angles is 108°.
Areg pentagon
pentag has five lines of symmetry as shown in fig. 23.
NEregular
OF SYMMETRY OF A REGULAR HEXAGON A regular hexagonhas all its sides equal and
of its casures 120°. A regular hexagon has six lines of symmetry. Three
ong t anlgles mea sides and three along the diagonals as
nes joining the mid-points of opposite
Sow
Saown in fig. 24.
By erve from the above discussion thatt each regular polygon has as many lines of
metry as the number of its sides.
18.6
Mathematics for Class
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

Example 1 Following letters of English alphabet are symmetrical about a line, Ta.
line. Identify,
a line of symmetry in each case:
(i) A (ii) B (ii) C (iv) D (v) E
(vi) M
(vii) T (vii) U (ix) V (x)W (xi) X
(xii) Y.
Solution The dotted line is the line of symmetry.

*******| ********

D ******

E **** MT

VW XY
Example 2 Each of the
Fig. 25

following letters from English alphabet has two lines of

symmetry. Identify lines of symmetry in each case:
() H (ii) I (ii) O
Solution The dotted lines are lines of symmetry in each case:

*******

Fig. 26

EXERCISE 18.1
1. State the
number of lines of symmetry for the following figures:
() An equilateral triangle
(i) An isosceles
triangle
(ii) A scalene tringle (v) A rectangle
() Arhombus (vi) A square
(vi) A parallelogram (vii) A quadrilateral
(ix) A regular pentagon x) A regular hexagon
(xi) A circle (xii) A semi-circle
 18.
Symmety

2.
sAM/hat
What
other name can you give to the line of symmetry of
(i) An isosceles triangle? (i) A circle?
dentify thr
jdentify three examples of shapes with no line of symmetry.
3
iontify multiple lines of symmetry, if any, in each of the following figures:
4.

A B C D

H
E G

Fig. 27

ANSWERS
2 (v) 2 4
1. ) 3 (ii) 1 Gii) O (iv)
(vii) 0 (vii) o (ix) 5 (x)6 (xi) Infinitely many
(xii) 1 2. (i) Altitude (i) Diameter 3. Parallelogram, A scalene triangle, A quadrilateral.

18.4 LINE OF SYMMETRY AND REFLECTION

mirror reflection. If a figure has a
The concept of line of symmetry is closely related to the
the line of symmetry, then the image or
line of symmetry and we place a mirror along
on the other side of the line
reflection of one side of the figure is exactly s a m e a s the figure
is also known a s the reflection
of symmetry. That is why line symmetry of a figure
the complete figure, if we a r e given a line oof
symmetry. Using this, we can also draw
it. For example, if the dotted line in the following
symmetry and o n e half on o n e side of the complete figure. Then, w e take the
line of symmetry and we wish to draw
ngure isof athe
mage figure in the mirror placed along the ine of symmetry. The complete figure
WIll look like the figure shown below.

Fig. 28
 18.8
Mathematics for Clas6 yi
ACTIVITYy

STEPI Take sheet of paper and fold it into 2 halues (Fig. 29.

Fig. 29 Fig. 30
STEPI Punch a hole as shown in Fig. 30.
STEPII Unfold the sheet to separate the two halves as shown in Fig. 31.

Fig. 31
You will find the fold is a line (or axis) of symmetry.

EXERCISE 18.2
1. in the
following figures, the mirror
line (i.e. the line of symmetry) is
Complete each figure performing reflection in the dotted (mirror) line. given
as dotted line
Also, try to recal the
name of the complete figure.

Fig. 32
 18.9
Symey

these figures o
Eachof the following figures shows paper cuttings with punched holes. Copy
of the then the
e sheetand mark the axis
sheet anc of symmetry so that if the pape is folded along it,
plane
a
on o n e
side ofit
it coincide with the holes on the other side.
wholes

O
********
O

o O

O
O

O
O

Fig. 33

3. In the following figures if the dotted lines represent the lines of symmetry, find the other
hole (s).

- . .- -. . .
---

Fig. 34
 18.10 Mathematics for Class Vi
18.5 ROTATIONAL SYMMETRY
Consider a rotating object, say a wheel of a bicycle or a wind-mill etc. The fixed
he fixed point
about which the object rotates is called the centre of rotation.

Fig. 35

When an object rotates in the direction of motion of hands of a clock, rotation is called
clock wise rotation; otherwise it is said to be anti-clockwise rotation.
ANGLE OF ROTATION The angle through which an object rotates (turns) about a fixed point
is known as the angle of rotation.

Anti-clockwise rotation

) 25
O

Ciockwise rotation

Fig. 36 Fig. 37
An object is said to take a full turn, if the angle of rotation is of 360°. A quarter-turn means
rotation by 90° and a three quarter-turn means rotation by 270° as shown below.
D G A D

A quarter-turn A half-turn Three quarter-turn

A full-turn
B . A D
*... ****
*** **

Fig. 38
ROTATIONAL SYMMETRY A figure is said to have rotational symmetry if it fits onto itsey
more than once during a full turn i.e. rotation through 360°.
Consider fig. 38 i). Let us discuss the rotation of this figure about
clockwise direction. When we give it a quarter-turn (i.e. rotation point 0 in ant
through 90°), we geu
fig. 38 (ii). Now rotate fig. 38 (ii) through 90° i.e. give a quarter turn to fig. 38 (ii) to ge
fig. 38 (iii). We observe that fig. 38 (ii) looks exactly as the original fig. 38 (i). Thus, when
we rotate fig. 38 (i) about point O by a half-turn i.e. through
180°, we get the same figure
So, we say that fig. 38 (i) has rotational symmetry.
 18.11
mel

*********** *****
o O

..
A quarter-turn A quarter-turn
*

************
A half--turn
**

Fig. 39
We observe that fig. 38 (i) fits onto itself twice in a full-turn i.e. rotation through 360
also observe

say
that this figure has rotational symmetry of orde 2.
we
So,
e we define the order of rotational symmetry of a figure as follows:
Th
onto itself in full
nER
ORDE OF ROTATIONAL SYMMETRY The number of times
mis called the order of rotational symmetry.
a figure fits one

turn
it
NOTE1 Rotating
a figure through 90° clockwise direction is the same a s rotating
in anti-clockwise direction. In other-words, 90° clockwise rotation 1s
h
throu 270 270° anti-clockwise rotation.
equivalent to

figure through 180° in clockwise direction is the same as rotating it

NOTE2 Rotating a

hrough 180° in anti-clockwise direction i.e., 180° rotations in either direction are

equivalent.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES5
Example 1 Which of the following figures have rotational symmetry about the marked
point ()? Also, find the order of rotational symmetry.

***** * * * * * * *
******
*****

) (i) (ii)
Fig. 40

Solution (i) We observe that fig.40 (i) fits onto itself when we give it a half-turn i.e.
when it is rotated through 180° as shown below.

*****

A quarter-turn
***
A quarter-turn.. ******* ssasa ******
........... ** i.e., rotation through 90°
i.e., rotation through 90°

***** ***** ******

A half-turn i.e, rotation through 180
******* n************

**** ******

Fig. 41
18.12
Mathematics for Class Vi Symmetry

Thus, the given figure has rotational synmmetry of order 2 abot Example3 Discu
marked point. about the sym
(ii) We observe that the given figure when rotated through 90°, 180
and 360°, it coincides with itself i.e., it fits Let
exactly onto itself
itself in each
Soltion

throu
case. So, it has rotational
symmetry of order 4. show

*** ***.

*******.
* *
****

*****..

Rotation through 90°Rotation through 90, Rotation through 90,Rotation through 90°
***

... .. .

Fig. 42
(ii) Clearly, given figure coincides with itself when it is rotated
i.e., when it takes a full-turn. through 360

We
Cle
**********

wh
He
Rotation through 90 Rotation through 909 Rotation through 90.Rotation through 90
...-.

.........-.* In
th
Fig. 43
Example 4 Di
So, it has rotationa1 symmetry of order 1.
Examplee2 Discuss the rotational symmetry and line Solution Le
symmetry of an
equilateral
triangle. S1

Solution Let ABC be an equilateral

triangle with O as its centroid. We have,
We observe that the
triangle ABC fits exactly onto itself when it is rotated
through 120°, 240° and 360° about the centroid O. So, it has rotational
symmetry of order 3.

-...
. *
..
* *

120° ***

****....
***

120°
....
****
120°
C
120
A C
Rotation through 120 ..
***.....-..**
*

Rotation
. through 240. .Rotation through 120.
**..-. .
Fig. 44

We also observe that A ABC has OA, OB and

These lines are the bisector of interior
OC as three lines of symmeu Example 5
angles the triangle.
of
Thus, an
symmetry of order 3.
equilateral triangle has 3 lines of
symmetry and rotu
ional Solution
 18.13
Mmeiy

lines or
Example3 Discuss the rotational symmetry of a sauare. Also, determine its
symmetry.

Let ABCD be a square with centre O as shown in fig. 45. Let us rotate i
ton

through 180°, 270° and

90°, about point O to attain various positions
360
shown below.

D D

C A B
B D C D B
901 Rotation through 90
Rotation through 90% Rotation through 90% Rotation through ***..
... ............* ...

Fig. 45

We observe that the square ABCD fits exactly onto itself.

the position
Clearly, after each rotation about point O the square attains
which exactly fits onto itself.

Hence, a square has rotational symmetry of order 4.

has 4 lines of symmetry, namely
In section 18.3, we have seen that a square
of opposite sides.
the diagonals and the lines joining the mid-points

Example 4 Discuss the rotational and line symmetry of a rectangle.

Solution Let ABCD be a rectangle such that

the line joining the mid-points of opposite
sides intersect at O.

A D
D

D B
through 1804
Rotation through 180..Rotation ...*

Fig. 46

lines of symmetry of the rectangle.

Clearly, these two lines are
O through 180" and 360°, we find that it
If we rotate the rectangle about point
fits onto itself.
order 2.
rotational symmetry of
So, it has
Example 5 Show that each of the letters H, 1, N, S, Xsymmetry inrotational symmetry of
"ple 5
of r o t a t i o n a l
and Z has a

each case.
order Also, mark the point
2.
itself when it is
Solution We observe that each and
ofthe letters , ,S, andz tits Thus
point
360" about
1, A
of the
O as shown
onto
below. each
rotated through 180° rotational symmetry of order 2.
Z has a
letters H, 1, N, S, X and
18.14
Mathematics for ClasS V

Rotation through 180° ARotation through 180 Rotation through 180" Rotation through 180
......* * ........... ..

NNN SRotation through 180°

** ...... ***
Rotation through 180°
***..o~...... **
O

Rotation through 180 Rotation

. . .*** ** . .. .
through 180

XX Rotation through 180° ARotation through 180°A

..--...** ***...........e*** -.......
**
/o
Rotation through 180°ARotation through 180°
*

**...-.....**

Fig. 47

Example 6 Discuss the rotational and line

symmetry of a circle.
Solution Let O be the centre of circle shown in
Fig. 48. Clearly, it is symmetrical about
every diameter. So, every diameter of it is a line of
symmetry.

Bs
A

Fig. 48

Thus, a cirlce has unlimited number of lines of

symmetry.
Ifwe rotate the circle about its centre O through any angle, then it fnts
itself. Therefore, a circle has rotational
symmetry around the centre
every angle. Thus, a circle has unlimited number of
the order of its rotation is infinite.
angles of symmetry a
uneiy 18.15
Example7 Discuss the rotational symmetry of a parallelogram. Also, find the centre or
rotation, if any.

In order to check the rotational symmetrv of a parallelogram, let

S o l u t o n

the following activity.

us pertorm
) Draw twoidentical parallelograms ABCD
C'D on a transparent sheet. on a piece of paper and AB
ii) Mark the points of intersection of their diagonals as O ana
respectively.
(ii) Place the parallelograms such that A'lies on A, B' lies on B, C' lies on C
and D'lies on D. In such a
situation O'will fall on O.
(iv) Stick a pin into the
shapes
at the O. point
(v) Turn the transparent sheet in the clockwise direction so that the two
shapes concide i.e. overlap eacih other. You will find that the tuwo shapes
D concide in two positionsonce when A' falls on A and secondly
when A falls on C.
Thus, a parallelogram has rotational symmetry of order 2. The point
where we have stick the pin is the centre of rotation. It is the point or
intersection of diagonals of the parallelogram.

B
B
Fig. 49
example 8 Discuss the rotational and line symmetry of the following figure.
Solution We observe that the figure fits onto itself when it is rotated through 120°,
240 and 360°.
S0, it has rotational symmetry of order 3.
We also observe that the given figure has lines , m and n as three lines of
symmetry.

* * * * * )* * * *
...... .|.. .

****************

Fig. 50
18.16 Mathematics for Class VI
EXERCISE 18.3
1. Give the order of rotational symmetry for each of the following figures when rotated aboite
out the
marked point (x):

120120
120
(ii)

(iv) (vi)

V
(vi) (vii) (ix)
Fig. 51
2. Name any two figures that have both line
symmetry and rotational symmetry.
3. Give an example of a figure that has a line of symmetry but does not have rotational
symmetry.
4. Give an example of a geometrical figure which has neither a line of symmetry nor a rotational
symmetry.
5. Give an example of a letter of the English alphabet which has
() no line of symmetry and
i) rotational symmetry of order 2.
6. What is the line of symmetry ot a semi-circle? Does it have
rotational symmetry?
7. Draw, whenever possible, a rough sketch of
) triangle with both line and rotational symmetries
a

(i)a triangle with only line symmetry and no rotational

symmetry.
(ii) a quadrilateral with a rotational symmetry but not a line of symmetry.
a quadrilateral with line
symmetry but not a rotational symmetry
8. Fill in the blanks:
Figures Centre of rotation Order of rotation
Square Angle ofrotation
Rectangle
Rhombus
Equilateral triangle|
Regular hexagon
Circle
Semi-circle
 18.17
Jmeiy

F i l l i nt h eb l a n k s :

Line Order of rotational

English a l p h a b e t
Number of Rotational
Letter Symmetry Lines of symmetry Symmetry Symmetry
Nil Yes 2
S
Yes Yes
Yes Yes
E Yes
N Yes
C
ANSWERS
4 (vi) 6 (ix) 3
1. () 4 ) 3 (ii) 3 (iv) () 2 (vi) 4 (vii) 5
2. An equilateral triangle, A square 3. A semi-circle, An isosceles triangle
No
4. A scalene triangle 5. (i) Z i) N 6. Perpendicular bisector of the diameter,
7. () Draw an equilateral triangle (i) Draw an isosceles triangle

8. Figure Centre of rotation Order of rotation| Angle of rotation|

4 90
Square Point of intersection of the line segments
joining the mid-points of opposite sides.
Point of intersection of the line segments 2 180°
Rectangle
joining the mid-points of opposite sides.
Point of intersection of diagonals 2 180
Rhombus
Equilateral
Point of intersection of angle bisectors i.e 3 120
centroid
triangle
Centre of the hexagon 6 60
Regular hexagon
Circle Centre of the circle Unlimited Any angle
Nil Nil Nil
Semi-circle

Line Number of Rotational Order of rotational

9. English alphabet
Letter Symmetry Lines of symmetry Symmetryy Symmetry

Z No Yes 2
S No Yes 2

H Yes 2 Yes 2
Yes 4 Yes 2
C
Yes No
No Yes
N
Yes 1 No
C
OBJECTIVE TYPE QUESTIONS

ne correct alternative in each of thefollowing:

1.
Vhich of the has only 2 lines of symmetry?
following
Rhombus (c) Circle (d) None of these
22. Whulateral triangle (b)
Which of the following is/are point
symmetric?
(a) Rectangle (b) Square (c) Parallelogram (d) All of these
18.18
Mathematics for Class VII
3. Which of the following has an infinite number of lines of symmetry?
(a) Equilateral triangle (b) Isosceles triangle (c) Regular hexagon (d) Circle
4. Which of the following is point symmetric?
(a) Equilateral triangle (b) Trapezium (c) Rectangle (d) None of these
5. The number of lines of symmetry of a square is
(a) 2 (b) 3 (d) Infinite
(c) 4
6. The number of lines of symmetry of a
rectangle is
(a) 2 (b) 3 (d) 1
(c) 4
7. The number of lines of
symmetry of an equilateral triangle is
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 0
8. The order of rotational
symmetry of an equilateral triangle is
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
9. Arectangle has rotational
symmetry order
of
(a) 1 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 4
10. The number of lines of
symmetry of an isosceles is triangle
(a) 0 (b) 1 (c) 2 (d) 3
ANSWERS
1. (b) 2. (d) 3. (d) 4. (c)
8. (d)
5. (c) 6. (a) 7. ()
9. (b) 10. (b)

THINGS TO REMEMBER
1. If a line divides a
figure into two parts such that when the figure is folded about the line the
two parts of the figure coin
cide, then the line is known as the line of symmetry. The line of
symmetry is also known as the axis of symmetry.
2. A figure is said to have rotational
turn i.e. rotation through 360°.
symmetry if it fits on to itself more than once during a full
3. The number of times a
figure fits onto ifself in one full turn is called the order of rotational
symmetry
4. Following table provides the details of linear and
rotationalsymmetries of various figures:
Figure | Line No. of Line
Symmetry Symmetry
Rotational Centre of Order of
Symmetry Rotation Rotational
Square Yes 4
Symmetryy
Yes Intersection of
diagonals
Rectangle Yes 2 Yes Intersection of | 2
diagonals
Equilateral Yes 3 Yes Centroid 3
Trangle
Regular Yes 6 Yes Centre of the 6
Hexagon hexagon
Circle Yes Unlimited Yes Centre Unlimited
Parallelogram Yes 2 Yes Intersection of 2
diagonals
Rhombus Yes 2 Yes Intersection of 2
diagonals